Williamson’s season in jeopardy, top hitting prospect could join Giants soon

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San Francisco Giants’ Mac Williamson (51) is photographed dugout before the intrasquad game at spring training at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. (Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group)

SAN FRANCISCO–As major league teams prepare for rosters to expand in September, the Giants will have opportunities to evaluate a handful of players who may be in line for larger roles next season.

Triple-A outfielders Mac Williamson and Chris Shaw appeared to be strong candidates to receive September call-ups, but Williamson’s season is now in jeopardy.

The power-hitting corner outfielder slugged three home runs in five games for the Giants in April before he suffered a concussion pursuing a flyball in foul territory at AT&T Park. Williamson tumbled over the bullpen mounds down the left field line, slammed into the wall and sustained a concussion that sidelined him for more than a month.

When Williamson returned to the field in late May, he struggled at the plate and was optioned to Triple-A after hitting .187 in 23 games.

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Williamson never regained his form with the Sacramento River Cats and manager Bruce Bochy announced Sunday that Williamson has been placed on the Triple-A disabled list and is being evaluated as his symptoms from his concussion continue to linger.

The 2012 third round draft choice of the Giants, Williamson’s average at Triple-A dropped from .292 to .269 in the week leading up to his most recent stint on the disabled list.

It’s unclear whether Williamson will return to the field this season, but the toll the concussion has taken is devastating for a player who appeared poised for a breakout year.

With Williamson sidelined for an indefinite period of time, Shaw is the one of the few Triple-A players left for the Giants to evaluate in the major leagues.

A first round draft choice in 2015, Shaw has 22 home runs and an .844 OPS in 89 games for the River Cats this season. The Giants will need to protect Shaw on the 40-man roster this offseason, so providing him a late-season opportunity to face big league pitching could benefit the club heading into next year.

Bochy said the Giants have discussed the possibility of promoting Shaw internally, and the left field prospect could find himself on the team soon if San Francisco parts with Andrew McCutchen through a trade.

Belt expected to return in Los Angeles

First baseman Brandon Belt (hyperextended knee) has been out since July 25, but he’s expected to return from the disabled list when the Giants travel to Los Angeles.

Belt went 0-for-2 for Triple-A Sacramento in the first game of a rehab assignment Saturday and is expected to play again Sunday and possibly Monday for the River Cats.

The Giants will likely hold off on activating Belt until Tuesday, as he’s 4-for-54 lifetime against the Dodgers’ Monday starter, Clayton Kershaw.

Kerry Crowley is a multimedia beat reporter covering the San Francisco Giants. He spent his early days throwing curveballs in San Francisco’s youth leagues before studying journalism at Arizona State University. Kerry has covered every level of baseball, from local preps to the Cape Cod League, and is now on a quest to determine which Major League city serves the best cheeseburger.